What To Do When You Get Fired Unfairly in Florida? 2025

Getting fired without warning can be a severely negative, unexpected experience to endure. If you have been fired, you may be uncertain about what you should do next, especially if you believe that your termination was unfair and possibly illegal. It is important to know what to do when you get fired unfairly in Florida if you want to protect your rights and obtain any compensation or reinstatement you are owed.

Understand Florida’s Wrongful Termination Laws

Florida is an at-will employment state. An employer can terminate an employee at any time, for any reason or for no reason at all, unless the termination would violate a federal or state anti-discrimination statute, an employment contract, or public policy. Wrongful termination claims are usually made when an employee has been terminated for an illegal reason, such as race, gender, religion, disability, pregnancy status, medical condition, in retaliation, or whistleblowing.

Signs You’ve Been Wrongfully Terminated

In fiscal year 2024, the EEOC received 6,611 complaints from Florida, 7.5% of all complaints across the country. 3,804 of these were for retaliation. Many of these involve some aspect of wrongful termination. These signs can point to a wrongful termination:

• You were terminated shortly after filing a complaint with your employer.
• You were terminated after requesting leave under FMLA.
• The reasons given to you do not make sense. For instance, if you were told you were terminated due to poor work performance, but you had received only positive feedback up until that point.
• You were fired after reporting illegal activity in the company.

Orlando employers such as Universal Orlando Resort, University of Central Florida, and Orlando Health must comply with the law. If you believe you were wrongfully terminated, you do not have to panic. Hire a wrongful termination lawyer who understands wrongful termination cases to help begin building a case for you.

When to Hire A Wrongful Termination Lawyer

If you’ve been wrongfully terminated, try to stay calm. Ask for the reason for your termination in writing and review any documents or communications related to your termination. Take notes of any conversations and keep records of any emails or text messages that may be useful in your case.

If you have an employment contract, review the terms of your contract and any provisions related to termination. You should also review the employer’s employee handbook or policies related to termination. If the employer violated these policies, it can help your case.

Maintain records of your job performance, any warnings or disciplinary actions you received, and any incidents that may have led to your termination. You should also gather any witness statements if available. This information can be critical in building your case.

Before you can file a claim, you typically need to file a charge with the EEOC or FCHR. This process gives these agencies the opportunity to investigate and potentially mediate the dispute.

Wrongful termination cases can be complex and challenging to navigate. It is important to hire a wrongful termination lawyer who is experienced in Florida wrongful termination laws and can effectively advocate on your behalf. You need a wrongful termination attorney who can assess your situation and work towards a settlement while also preparing to defend you in court if it becomes necessary.

Potential Outcomes for Wrongful Termination Cases

Florida law provides multiple remedies for those who lose their jobs illegally. These remedies may include reinstatement to your former position, back pay for any lost wages you suffered as a result of the termination, and damages for any emotional distress or damage to your reputation that you experienced.

In some cases, a court may also award punitive damages if it finds that your employer acted with malice or in bad faith. An employee who successfully brings a wrongful termination claim may also be able to recover attorney’s fees and the costs of litigation. An experienced attorney from the Law Offices of Gare A. Costales, P.A. can help you seek the full extent of damages available to you.

About the Law Offices of Gary A. Costales, P.A.

At the Law Offices of Gary A. Costales, P.A., we care about employees who are wronged in the workplace. We have handled wrongful termination cases for many years in Florida and have extensive experience litigating such cases. We understand Florida wrongful termination laws inside and out and can help guide you and your family through your individual situation.

The Law Offices of Gary A. Costales, P.A., demonstrates genuine concern for your employment interests and professional life. Our firm has handled multiple wrongful termination cases involving both retaliation and discrimination, and we’re here to help you achieve justice.

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Contact the Law Offices of Gary A. Costales, P.A., Today

If you believe you were fired illegally, don’t wait to seek legal help. The Law Offices of Gary A. Costales, P.A., can help you through this process. Contact us today to get started.